Dose-Dependent Induction of an Idiotypic Cascade by Anti-Glycosaminoglycan Monoclonal Antibody in apoE -/- Mice: Association with Atheroprotection

• Published in: Frontiers in immunology Vol. 8; p. 232
• Main Authors: Sarduy, Roger, Brito, Victor, Castillo, Adriana, Soto, Yosdel, Griñán, Tania, Marleau, Sylvie, Vázquez, Ana María
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 03-03-2017
• Subjects: Immunology; atherosclerosis; glycosaminoglycans; atheroprotection; antibodies; idiotypic cascade; monoclonal antibody
• ISSN: 1664-3224; 1664-3224
• DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00232

Atherosclerosis, the underlying pathology of most cardiovascular diseases, is triggered by the retention of apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins in the arterial wall through electrostatic interactions with glycosaminoglycan (GAG) side chains of proteoglycans. Previously, we reported the antiatherogenic properties of the chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb) chP3R99-LALA, which binds sulfated GAGs, inhibits low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-chondroitin sulfate (CS) association, and abrogates LDL oxidation and foam cell formation. In preventive and therapeutic settings, apoE-deficient (apoE
) mice immunized with 50 μg of this mAb showed reduced atherosclerotic lesions related with the induction of autologous anti-GAG antibodies. Knowing that age and sex are major non-modifiable risk factors in the development of atherosclerosis, the present study aimed to assess the influence of these variables on the capacity of chP3R99-LALA mAb to generate an anti-CS antibody response. Also, we aimed at defining the impact of the dose of chP3R99-LALA on the anti-CS antibody induction and the atheroprotective effect of this mAb in apoE
mice. Neither age nor sex had an impact in the IgG anti-CS antibody response induced by s.c. immunization with this mAb. Moreover, chP3R99-LALA mAb reduced atherosclerotic lesions to a similar extent in both young male and female apoE
mice fed a hypercholesterolemic diet and, in middle-aged female apoE
mice, with spontaneous lesions. On the other hand, increasing the dose of chP3R99-LALA (200 vs. 50 μg) elicited an anti-idiotype antibody cascade characterized by higher levels of anti-idiotype (Ab2), anti-anti-idiotype (Ab3), and anti-CS antibody responses. Moreover, this dose increment resulted in a striking reduction of aortic atherosclerotic lesions in immunized mice.